Safety and clarity are critical in industrial automation and electrical engineering. Human operators rely on visual and tactile cues to understand machine states instantly. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) established the standard to unify these cues globally.
Used for general information or monitoring when none of the other colors apply (e.g., power is on). 2. Actuators (Pushbuttons)
Detailed notes on how IEC 60073 interacts with related standards like IEC 60204-1 (Safety of machinery – Electrical equipment of machines). How to Access the Official IEC 60073 PDF iec 60073 pdf
: Pair flashing red lights with an acoustic alarm to ensure dual-sensory alerting. How to Apply IEC 60073 in Panel Design
IEC 60073 defines specific meanings for colors in the context of machine status: Safety and clarity are critical in industrial automation
Indicator lights communicate the status of a machine or system.
The primary objective of this standard is to establish a uniform system of colors, shapes, and sounds to represent specific machine states. By standardizing these elements, the IEC aims to: Used for general information or monitoring when none
IEC 60073 establishes general rules for assigning specific meanings to colors, alphanumeric characters, symbols, and physical positions of indicators and actuators (buttons, switches, lamps). Its primary goal is to ensure safety, reduce human error, and facilitate quick recognition of operational states.
The primary objective of the standard is to increase workplace safety and operational efficiency by making human-machine interfaces (HMIs) intuitive, unambiguous, and consistent across different manufacturers and countries. Core Principles of Coding in HMIs